A public consultation has been launched by West Dunbartonshire Council on the proposal to remove free school transport for hundreds of pupils attending public schools.
The consultation was launched on Thursday, March 9, and will run for a total of 31 days until Tuesday, May 9 with the results being brought before members at a future education committee.
Local authorities across the country may make free travel available to pupils who live beyond the statutory walking distance and are attending a school designated as the nearest appropriate “catchment school”.
READ MORE: East Renfrewshire schools face impact of 'unnecessary' cuts, councillor warns
West Dunbartonshire currently caters for children who live further than one mile from their catchment primary school, and two miles from their catchment secondary school.
As it stands, transport is being provided for around 1200 children to the following schools:
- Clydebank High School
- Dumbarton Academy
- Gartocharn Primary School
- Knoxland Primary School
- Linnvale Primary School
- Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School
- St. Peter the Apostle High School
- St. Eunan’s Primary School
- St. Mary’s (Alexandria) Primary School
- St. Mary’s (Duntocher) Primary School • St. Patrick’s Primary School
- Vale of Leven Academy
A paper presented to members of the education committee confirmed that the proposals will not affect transport arrangements for those children and young people with additional support needs or any who are transported to an alternative education provision outside West Dunbartonshire. Where a route is confirmed as not safe to walk, transport will still be provided.
Three public consultation meetings are currently scheduled to take place in person on April 18 at 7pm in Our Lady & St Patrick’s High School, April 19 at 7pm in St. Peter the Apostle High School and April 25 at 7pm in the Vale of Leven Academy.
Recommendations will be presented to a meeting of the Educational Services Committee provisionally scheduled to be held on Wednesday, July 5 but concerns have been raised as some members may be unable to attend during recess.
Councillor Karen Conaghan said: “The proposed education meeting is during recess and there might be members who plan to be away and unable to attend.
“I wonder if we don’t have the meeting before the start of the new school term if that will cause a problem for us in terms of transport provision.
“Given that the decision was taken in December, why has the issue not been addressed before now.”
A council officer confirmed that they wanted to ensure they had enough time to undertake the work required to make the proposals successful and inform parents of the outcome.
Members will be updated on the proposals in due course.
READ NEXT:
West Dunbartonshire Council tenant rent to increase by 5% this year
Glasgow bin men startled as video shows huge rats jumping out of rubbish
Man dies on Glasgow flight as cabin crew battle to save his life in mid-air emergency
Glasgow woman dies after being knocked down by a car in Castlemilk
Lanarkshire four-bedroom house in need of renovation on the market for just £45k
